Jeffrey Donaldson sex abuse trial jury sent home for weekend

The jury in the sex abuse trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was dismissed for the weekend on Friday afternoon, as proceedings at Downpatrick Crown Court continue into their second week. The former Democratic Unionist Party leader faces 18 charges in total, including one count of rape, all of which he has denied.

Where the trial stands

Jurors were told to return to court on Monday morning after a shortened session on Friday. The case has drawn intense public attention since Donaldson, 61, resigned as DUP leader in April 2024 — just hours before the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed he had been charged. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, is also a co-accused and faces related charges, which she too denies.

The charges span an alleged period of abuse stretching back decades. Prosecutors have outlined a case involving multiple complainants, and the jury of seven women and five men has been hearing evidence since earlier this week.

What’s been heard so far

Witnesses for the prosecution have already taken to the stand, with the court hearing detailed testimony about the alleged offences. Defence lawyers have challenged aspects of that testimony during cross-examination, questioning the reliability of certain accounts and the timeline of events described by complainants.

It’s a trial that has gripped Northern Ireland. Donaldson was one of the most recognisable political figures in the region, serving as DUP leader from 2021 and playing a central role in negotiations over the Northern Ireland Protocol and its successor, the Windsor Framework.

A court spokesperson confirmed Friday’s early adjournment was a routine scheduling matter and that the trial is expected to proceed without interruption next week.

The political backdrop

Donaldson’s arrest and subsequent charges sent shockwaves through Stormont and Westminster alike. He had been a Westminster MP for Lagan Valley since 2003 and was widely seen as a stabilising force within unionism during a particularly turbulent period for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

He resigned from all his positions within hours of the charges becoming public.

The DUP moved quickly to distance itself from its former leader, installing Gavin Robinson as interim leader before later confirming him in the role permanently. The party has declined to comment on the ongoing trial proceedings.

What happens next

With the jury now away for the weekend, attention will return to Downpatrick Crown Court on Monday when the prosecution is expected to continue calling witnesses. Legal observers estimate the trial could last several more weeks given the volume and complexity of the charges involved.

But that’s a timeline that could shift depending on how cross-examinations proceed and whether any legal arguments need to be heard in the absence of the jury. For now, 12 ordinary people hold the process in their hands — and won’t deliver any verdict until all the evidence has been heard.